-As NAPPSA charges him to give pharmacists a voice & greater recognition
Pharm. Oye Owolewa, Democratic Nominee for U.S Representative has been elected as a shadow (non-voting) Representative out of the District of Columbia. A PharmD holder from the Northeastern University, Boston, Owolewa just made history as the first Nigerian to become a U.S Congressman.
ABC 7 News made the disclosure yesterday via its Twitter handle as it tweeted: “Democrat Oye Owolewa will be elected as a shadow U.S. Representative out of the District of Columbia.”
Announcing the United States electoral bid results on Wednesday, Oye had 82.65% of the votes, which represents 135,234 votes against his opponents Joyce Robinson-Paul, who had 15,541 votes, and Sohaer Syed with 12,846 votes.
The 30-year-old young pharmacist is one of the three fortunate Nigerian-American, along with Esther Agbaje and Nnamdi Chukwuocha, who have won their electoral bids in the United States election held on Tuesday.
Appreciating his fans through his Instagram page, Owolewa, whose father hails from Kwara State and mother from Osun State, said his emergence for the position is attributed to the contributions and sacrifices of family, close associates and DC residents.
He assured his voters of using the office to the maximum benefits of the populace, as he promised to fight for DC statehood and restore values to the lawmaking process.
“Good morning. Looks like WE DID IT!!! I want to thank everyone, from family and close friends to DC residents. Because of your contributions and sacrifices, I stand before you as America’s first Nigerian American congressman. In this role, I’m going to fight for DC statehood and bring our values to the lawmaking process. While today is day for some celebration, the hard work also follows. Again, thanks”, he pledged.
Felicitating the milestone feat of Owolewa, the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, and the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas, NAPPSA, have congratulated him for being the first pharmacist and Nigerian in the US Congress.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, DG, NIDCOM, in a letter obtained by Pharmanewsonline expressed her delight in the wonderful feat of Owolewa, describing it as well deserved.
She described him as a role model to the youths and a good ambassador of Nigeria which endeared him to the grassroots leading to his historical election into the US Parliament.
The DG, NIDCOM urged him to diligently carry out his duties as a new Congressman in such a way as to positively impact on the community who entrusted him with their votes.
The NAPPSA President, Dr Anthony Ikeme, also congratulates Pharm. Owolewa on his emergence as the very first pharmacist and Nigerian in the US Congress.
Ikeme, who acknowledged Owolewa as a committed member of NAPPSA advocating for the implementation of Pharmacy and healthcare-friendly policies, said his emergence in the Congress will be instrumental for a greater recognition and appreciation of the important role pharmacists play in public health system.
“Our pride is further magnified by the fact that Pharm. Owolewa is a NAPPSA member and has committed to lobby for the implementation of Pharmacy and healthcare-friendly policies. NAPPSA believes that Oye’s presence in Congress will afford pharmacists a voice in the quest for a greater recognition and appreciation of the important role pharmacists play in the public health system.
“As NAPPSA continues to advocate for the interest of the pharmaceutical profession in the USA, Nigeria and around the world, Pharm. Owolewa will be a great ally in our effort”, Ikeme emphasized.
 Representative out of the District of){kind=link}